After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin.

Her opponents are men—thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the kings council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she’ll serve the kingdom for three years and then be granted her freedom.

Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilirating. But she’s bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her... but it’s the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best.

Then one of the other contestants turns up dead... quickly followed by another. Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined.

Please help me welcome author Monique McDonell to Reading with Holly to talk about her book Mr Right and Other Mongrels! :)

Holly: Hi Monique! Would you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Monique McDonell: I’m an author who lives near the beach in Sydney, Australia. When I’m not writing I run a boutique PR business with a friend. I’m married with one daughter. My favourite things to do are read, entertain friends and travel to exotic locations where I can one day maybe set a book.

Holly: Can you tell us a little bit about your book Mr Right and Other Mongrels?

Monique McDonell: This is Allegra’s story really. She had a tough childhood where she was raised by her narcissistic mother, Moonbeam and now as an adult she has found security and stability. Her life has become very safe. Then she meets Teddy, who is a huge TV star, and it all gets turned upside again and she has to decide whether to embrace that change or hide from it.

Holly: Which came first for you, the characters or the plot?

Monique McDonell: Whenever I write a story I get an image of the main character. In the case of Mr Right and Other Mongrels I had two clear images of Allegra, the main character. The first was of her being chased by a big dog, which is how the book opens and the next was of her in a bookshop, which is how she came to own a second hand bookshop in the novel.

Holly: Can we expect more novels from you in 2012?

Monique McDonell: I have two more novels to release this year. The first Hearts Afire will be out late August or maybe early September and it’s more of a contemporary romance than chick lit. A Fair Exchange which is pure chick lit I plan to have ready to go in December.

Holly: How much of you or people you know do you think make it into the characters in your novel(s)?

Monique McDonell: I don’t think there is much of me in this novel, although the main character and I do both have dog phobias, but people who have read the book who know me say they can definitely hear my voice. The character of Justin in Mr Right and the Mongrels is loosely based on a good friend of mine who moved to London. I missed him so I wrote his personality, not his life, into the novel.

Holly: Do you think you will have a follow up book to this novel or is it just a stand-alone novel?

Monique McDonell: A few people who have read the novel have asked me what happens next to Allegra and Teddy. I can see myself writing a sequel though it would require quite a bit of travel for research, but that’s not a bad thing!

Holly: Can you tell us a little about what attracted you to this genre?

Monique McDonell: I write short stories as well as novels and my short stories are much darker but when I began writing darker novels I found that mid-way through the characters depressed me andI wanted to get away from them. I decided to write a book filled with people who I would like to spend time with (even if the exasperated me a bit). The voice and style of chick lit suits me and my personality and I enjoy reading them so chick lit was the obvious choice.

Holly: Do you have anything you would like to say to your readers?

Monique McDonell: I wrote Mr Right and Other Mongrels as a fun light hearted read. I hope people get to the end and feel the way they do after a visit with a fun girlfriend. When I started to write I really wanted to writes stories that bring people a little joy.

Holly: What is your take on editing your work (pre-edits I suppose before it gets passed to an editor)—do you hate it? Is it a strong point for you?

Monique McDonell: I really don’t like editing but it is such a big step important step that you do just have to put on your big girl panties and do it. I much, much prefer building a world than cleaning it up but that’s how I am in life as well…I may have thrown a few things out to avoid washing them from time to time. That’s not really an option with a book; you have to do the tidying up.

Blissfully happy in her own universe Allegra (Ally) Johnson is the sweet best friend everyone wants to have. Quietly and independently wealthy she runs a charming second-hand bookshop in beachside Manly. Heck, sometimes she even goes downstairs from her flat to run the shop in her Chinese silk pyjamas. It sounds like bliss. But is it enough?

When dog-phobic Allegra is rescued from an exuberant canine by the chivalrous Teddy Green, Australia’s hottest TV celebrity and garden make-over guru, her life begins to change. Dramatically!

Unaware of Teddy’s fame Allegra finds herself falling for him, despite her best attempts to resist his charm. Supported by her eccentric family and her fabulous gay friend Justin, Allegra embarks on an on-again off-again romance with Teddy, complicated by his jealous ex-girlfriend, fashionista Louisa and her own narcissistic hippy mother Moonbeam.

Will Ally be able to overcome her insecurities and find happiness with this possible Mr Right or will Teddy’s celebrity lifestyle prove to be too much? Mr Right and Other Mongrels is a light-hearted story about how one chance encounter can change your life.

My mother however was going nowhere. Worse than that she kept leering at Teddy, which simply made me uncomfortable.

I really didn’t know what was going on with Teddy and me but I surely didn’t want anything going on between Teddy and Moonbeam.

“Teddy, do you want to help me get some dinner together?”

“No Allegra, he can stay and keep me company.” She was good.

“How about we both help Ally out.” What a guy.

So we piled into my small kitchen with her standing a bit too close to Teddy for my liking.

“So what are we having?”

“Potato gnocchi with tomato sauce and a salad.”

“Cool, what can I do?’

I had already cooked the potatoes so I put Teddy to work mashing them. And I pulled down a jar of sauce I had made from organic tomatoes earlier in the summer and put it on to simmer.

Teddy looked at me quizzically “You jar your own sauce?”

“Uhmm yes”. I was always kind of embarrassed by my love of cooking. It makes me seem like a possessed potential housewife or something. I mean I know you don’t go to a club and discuss organic cooking; it doesn’t get the men flocking. Ultimately though I just like to cook and eat well.

“Well, Allegra, that being the case I may have to marry you.” He winked just so I’d know he wasn’t serious. “I’ll grow the veggies and you can make the sauce.”

“I don’t know that there is room for a veggie patch in my flat or your designer terrace either for that matter,” I laughed.

“Well, we’ll just have to move to the country.”

“Sorry can’t leave the shop.”

“I’m heartbroken,” he feigned distress as he mashed. “I offer to give up my lucrative TV career and to grow veggies and marry you and you won’t leave the bookshop!”

I am an Australian author who writes contemporary women's fiction including chick lit and romance. I live on Sydney's Northern Beaches with my husband and daughter, and despite my dog phobia, with a dog called Skip.

I have written all my life especially as a child when I loved to write short stories and poetry. At University I studied Creative Writing as part of my Communication degree. Afterwards I was busy working in public relations. I didn't write for pleasure for quite a few years although I wrote many media releases, brochures and newsletters. (And I still do in my day-job!)

When I began to write again I noticed a trend - writing dark unhappy stories made me unhappy. So I made a decision to write a novel with a happy ending and I have been writing happy stories ever since. I began a year-long writing course at the NSW Writers Centre and (thank goodness) its members morphed into a writing group known as The Writer's Dozen. We published a highly successful anthology, Better than Chocolate, in 2008.

In 2008 I was also selected for the QWC/Hachette Livre Manuscript Development Course for my novel Mr Right and Other Mongrels. In 2009 I received a Highly Commended in the Romance Writers of Australia's Valerie Parv Awards for my novel Hearts Afire.

These are the first two books I will be e-publishing in 2012 along with a third novel, A Fair Exchange. I'm not really like the characters in my books at all although I do share something in common with each of them - Allegra (Mr Right and Other Mongrels) has a dog phobia like me, Cassie (Hearts Afire) falls in love on a tropical island and I met my husband that way and Amelia (A Fair Exchange) was an exchange student who is now all grown up.

Excerpt:

The women headed to the Iron Market and the few shops open along the way. The elegant mansions and townhomes spoke of days gone by. Once glorious in their regal bearing and bright colors, these buildings had taken a major knock from Mother Nature. Still, even with the damage from the earthquake, Jacmel was a tourist destination like no other. At least here, there were obvious revitalization attempts happening to get the city back on its feet.

The afternoon zipped by at a rapid pace – full of shopping, laughter and fun as the women ran from shop to shop and stall to stall buying a few items to make their job a little brighter and more comfortable. Jade was delighted to find several brightly colored t-shirts and cotton pants in a beige-khaki color. They would withstand a lot of wear and tear. At one brightly festooned stall, she found several hair clips big enough to hold her heavy blond hair off her neck.

If she'd had a little longer to prepare and pack, she'd have gotten a haircut. As it was, the clips would do for now. She could always get it cut here if she couldn't stand the heat. Meg's short curls looked perfect. And Susan's fine black bob that stopped at her chin also looked comfortable.

"Now that has to feel better." Meg patted Jade's hair clip. "Nice. Now I almost wish I had long hair myself. Almost." She grinned and picked up several clips. "I bet my sister would love a couple."

"Later, when it's time to go home. Too much to pack this early."

"You're right." Meg put it back with a sigh. "Too bad though."

As they headed back to the SUV Susan stopped at another brightly colored stall, one festooned with odd-looking handmade dolls. An old short and squat women – wearing so many necklaces, they almost obliterated the sight of her red blouse underneath – worked at the booth. The woman's black gaze latched onto Jade and never let go.

Jade moved to the other side of Susan in an effort to get away from that piercing stare. And came too close to the weird-looking straw and cloth dolls. She noticed the papier-mâché looking ones painted in black with weird markings…and many other items she couldn't begin to recognize. "What are these things?"

"Vodou paraphernalia."

Jade shuddered and took several steps back. "Not for me, thanks."

Susan shook her head vigorously. "No. You don't get it. This stuff is for good luck. Used to ward off bad spirits."

With a second shudder, Jade moved several steps back, shaking her hands in front of her. "I still don't want one."

Susan grinned and reached to pluck her choice off the top of the stall. "Well I do. Just what we need for the grave work."

The transaction was done in silence. The old woman accepting the money never took her eyes off Jade. Unsettled, Jade did everything to avoid her. She wished Susan would hurry.

Finally they were done. Jade turned to leave when the old women moved off her stool so quickly, Jade never would have believed it possible if she hadn't seen it herself. Before Jade could back away the old woman grabbed her by the arm.

"Danger stalks you. You see it but you don't understand it. Careful. Or you will join those that have gone before." She dropped Jade's arm and returned to her stool beside her cart.

Jade froze. So shocked and horrified by the crone's touch, she hardly understood what the old woman said.

Meg grabbed her arm. "Come on," she hissed. "Forget about her. Let's get back to the SUV."

Susan snagged her other arm so the three walked back linked together.

"That was too weird," Meg said. "I'm glad you got a doll, Susan. Good luck is just what we need."

Posted reviews from satisfied readers!

This book had so many twists and turns and I can honestly say that the ending truly surprised me! I was not expecting it to end the way it did so kudos to Ms. Mayer for keeping the suspense up until the ending. There are mentions of voodoo in the story but because this is Haiti, how can there not be? However, these do not take over the story and the evil in this story is purely human. This was a great mystery entwined with a good love story and just enjoyable all the way around. (Kmoaton)

Another well written, suspenseful book that's come to be expected, by Dale Mayer. Her characters come alive and the story literally jumps off the pages. A mix of devastation from the earthquake in Haiti to painting a picture of the beauty that was untouched by it with a smattering of Haitian spiritual beliefs thrown in. Highly recommend. (Janet Fedor)

Dale Mayer has done it again. She's written an amazing, page-turning book that's unlike any other book I've read. I can't imagine any other author setting a book in Haiti after a devastating earthquake - and pulling it off so brilliantly. I cared about Jade and Dane. They felt like real people in trouble. I admired them and wanted them to be safe and happy.

I'm good at guessing endings, but this book kept me in suspense up to the end. I already want to read Mayer's next book! (E.S. Rose)

Death had touched anthropologist Jade Hansen in Haiti once before, costing her an unborn child and perhaps her very sanity. A year later, determined to face her own issues, she returns to Haiti with a mortuary team to recover the bodies of an American family from a mass grave.

Visiting his brother after the quake, independent contractor Dane Carter puts his life on hold to help the sleepy town of Jacmel rebuild. But he finds it hard to like his brother's pregnant wife or her family. He wants to go home, until he meets Jade - and realizes what's missing in his own life.

When the mortuary team begins work, it's as if malevolence has been released from the earth. Instead of laying her ghosts to rest, Jade finds herself confronting death and terror again. And the man who unexpectedly awakens her heart - is right in the middle of it all.

Dale Mayer is a prolific multi-published writer. She's best known for Tuesday's Child, Hide'n Go Seek, her romantic suspense novels that was one of the final four in the Kensington Brava/Romantic Times contest this last year. Besides her romantic suspense/thrillers, Dale also writes paranormal romance and crossover young adult books in several different genres.To go with her fiction, she also writes nonfiction in many different fields with books available on resume writing, companion gardening and the US mortgage system. She has recently published her Career Essentials Series . All her books are available in print format as well.

One Father.Two Mothers.Four siblings.One incredible night that will change them all forever.

Excerpt:

Charity rushed back to her office in the IT department, cheeks flaming. At least one of the Langford sisters was getting laid on a regular basis. But really, catching Chas and Justin making love in the executive washroom was just plain embarrassing. Even worse, it brought home to her the sex she wasn’t having. Now she was the one taking pains to keep her fantasy life private.

Passing her staff, she avoided eye contact only to come upon the immovable object of her guard dog, Lucas Kendal. The PI sat at a desk across from her office where he could keep an eye on her. The work she’d assigned him as a cover sat ignored. Instead, he read an issue of Sports Illustrated; no doubt the swimsuit issue. It was a wonder he hadn’t followed her into the ladies room.

The man practically oozed sex appeal. Her lips tingled as she stared at him. What might he taste like? She’d love to find out; maybe nibble his square jaw, and dip her tongue into that cute cleft in his chin. “Down, girl,” she muttered in self-recrimination. He’s hired to look after you, not teach you the joys of sex at your old maid age of thirty-two. Just then, he looked up, snagging her gaze, his quirked brow telling her he’d guessed her thoughts.

Cheeks flaming anew, she quickly shut the door and locked it. Thank goodness, she had her mystery Laird to dim the flames. This sexual itch, combined with the series of hacking attacks she’d thwarted, threatened to drive her crazy. Ending the barrage of attacks with her fireball program had made enemies. The pissed off hackers sent death threats, prompting her father to hire Kendal, who made her want to knock him to the floor and do him. It was a vicious cycle, one she couldn’t break.

Throwing off those troubling thoughts, she peeled off the jacket of her business suit, loving the way her silk blouse felt against her bare skin, and rushed over to her computer, late for a date with her cyber Master. She had two hours until she had to leave for her staff’s annual weekend getaway to the IT conference. A weekend far away from her annoying babysitter would be wonderful. Maybe she could hook up with a charming stranger in Las Vegas, sow a few wild oats, and get this desire for sex out of her system.

She slipped into her desk chair and reached for the keyboard. Her excitement building, she logged on to the online sex site she’d discovered last week and looked for his screen name. Yes! He was there. Wolf. A thrill went through her. She logged on as Honey and put on her headset, saying softly, “I’m here, my Laird.”

“Follow me to our private room.”

She shivered, hearing his sexy rumble; a thick brogue that rushed over her like warm honey, making her cream as she imagined what was coming. Sex with a guy wearing a kilt -- now, that had kinky possibilities. With guilty pleasure, she murmured, “Yes, my Laird.” She could surrender to her online master, get off, and still maintain an illusion of icy reserve.

“How many times did you touch yourself today, Honey?”

His demand to know how many times she’d played with herself made her hesitate. Hell, the man wouldn’t know one way or another if she told the truth or a lie. After a tense moment, she let out a sigh of surrender. Here comes the Langford upbringing again…finish what you start and never lie to anyone about anything. Blushing, she confessed, “Six, my Laird.” His chuckle made her squirm in her chair; she was going to get punished. Good. She thought about the vibrator in her desk drawer; maybe he’d make her come three times in a row like last time.

“What a naughty girl not to wait for Master’s permission.”

His scolding echoed her thoughts. Why couldn’t she control herself? “I’m sorry, Sir.” She shivered with delight, getting into the secret fantasy.

“Did you obey my instructions, Honey?”

She brushed her bare breasts through her silk blouse, loving the free, sensual feeling of forgoing her usual bra and panties. “Yes, Laird, I’m not wearing underwear.”

He took in a deep breath. “Good girl. Unbutton your blouse for me and play with your pretty tits.”

“Yes, my Laird.” Her hands quickly flew to do his bidding, slipping the ivory buttons out of their buttonholes until her blouse hung open. The air conditioning wafted a cool breeze over her budding nipples. With a sigh of pleasure, she cupped her full breasts and fanned her fingertips over the puckered nipples, murmuring at the pleasure. “I’m playing with them, Laird.”

Closing her eyes, she pictured her mystery Laird, imagining her soft hands becoming his larger, harder ones, his rough fingertips rolling her stiff nipples. “My nipples are so very hard for you, Laird.”

She leaned back in her big desk chair and spread her legs, her hand reaching under her skirt to touch her hot pussy. Her clit was stiff, her pussy quivering, and wet. She rubbed it, moaning. “I’m wet, Sir.”

“Good. Play with that bad pussy; make it nice and creamy for me, but don’t come.”

She stroked her wet slit, her thumb rubbing her stiff clit. She couldn’t hold back a moan as she got nearer to orgasm.

“Yes, my Laird. I’m imagining it’s you. When can we meet for real?” she asked, desperate for a taste of the real thing.

“When I think you’re ready, Honey, and not before.”

She groaned at his rejection, but it didn’t stop her hot response to his commands, or her growing need for him.

“Do you like the way it feels when my fingers slip inside you?”

She panted, her pussy clenching on her fingers as he spoke. “Oh yes, Laird, very much.”

“Now stop.”

Trembling on the brink of a huge orgasm, her fingers went still at his command. “Please, Sir.”

“No. You’re being punished for playing with yourself earlier. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

Charity moaned as he disconnected and tried to stop, but couldn’t. Her fingers plunged into her wet pussy, pretending they were her mystery Laird’s. Ripples gathered, and she exploded into orgasm. She was dimly aware of her office door opening as she came.

Lucas Kendal stood inside Charity Langford’s office doorway blocking anyone passing by from ogling his beautiful she-wolf mate in the throes of passion. Still shaken by the culture shock of being rescued by the Elite, only to have his half-brother Lash killed in the raid, he was still trying to get his bearings. The cyber sex he’d initiated to get her ready for mating had backfired, making him frustrated and horny as hell. Keeping his promise to take Lash’s place as Charity’s mate -- and not succumb to her charms -- was going to be harder than he’d thought. That wasn’t the only thing hard, he thought ruefully, his cock throbbing.

He'd protect her; teach her passion, and who she was before she dumped him. He was no more than a stud. Hell, he ought to be used to it after the Betas’ breeding farm. After the danger of the Blue Moon was past, her father would choose a more suitable husband for her, and he would move on, ever moving in the shadowy world of the Alphas. Still, he couldn’t help watching her in the throes of an orgasm he’d initiated.

Charity’s beautiful face was flushed with passion, her headset still in place, her eyes shut, as the extended orgasm swept her away. His hunter’s gaze focused hungrily on her beautiful bare breasts, the pink nipples like ripe strawberries. How he ached to taste them. The sweet sound of ecstasy pouring from her full red lips was like music to his ears, and like an aphrodisiac to any rogue wolf within a sixty-yard radius. This was no longer about a turf war between wolfen societies. From the moment he’d met her two weeks ago this had turned very personal.

What a naughty girl to disobey him and keep playing with herself. She was so exquisitely responsive; it was hard for him to restrain his animal instincts. He itched to take her over his knee in retribution and then make love to her until she couldn’t think straight. “Want me to take care of that for you, love?” he asked, working hard to keep the sibilant hiss of his Scot’s ancestry out of his voice. It wouldn’t do for her to guess that he and her Laird were one and the same. He watched her big violet eyes pop open.

Lucas smiled as her mouth formed a perfect “O” of shock, but true to her royal status, her dismay soon was replaced by an imperious glare.

“Who gave you a key to my office?” she demanded, quickly pulling her hand out from under her skirt and reaching for her blouse.

He kicked shut the door and held up his bare hands. “Look, love, no key. The door was unlocked.” He didn’t bother mentioning his fully developed skills gave him powers she’d never dreamed of. Opening a locked door was easy. He’d walk through fire to get to her and keep her safe. He closed the distance between them, noting her trembling hands as she buttoned her blouse. The lady wasn’t as unperturbed as she pretended to be. Good, it suited him to keep her off balance. “We need to talk about this weekend.”

“Save your breath, Kendal, I’m going.”

“Have it your way,” he murmured, focusing on her stiff nipples showing clearly through her silk blouse. “I’ll have to go with you.”

Noting the direction of his stare, she scowled and swiveled her desk chair so that her back was to him. She stood and put on her blazer. “I’ll see you at the airport, then.”

“It doesn’t work that way and you know it. I’ve arranged transport for us. I’ll be here to collect you in half an hour,” he said, walking out of the room. For all his sexual experience, he couldn’t help feeling like the vulnerable one.

Honey Jans lives in a small Midwestern town with her husband and true inspiration. She is a born romantic with an extraordinarily vivid, yet kinky, imagination.Honey loves writing erotica and hopes that her stories add a little spice to her readers lives.

Anya’s wish for a normal date—away from the old man she is caretaker for—comes true in unexpected ways when she finds herself whisked to an ancient Irish stone circle on solstice eve.

Carrick’s decision to follow the path to become an Ovate druid has not come lightly, and he plans to spend the solstice eve in meditation unless fairies or evil spirits disrupt the circle. When a feisty girl walks right up to the fire, more than sparks fly.

They each seek healing and a connection, but the darkness of summer is short, and once the solstice sun breaks through the circle at dawn, the magic of the night will be over. Even Madame Eve can’t stop the day from rising.

Maybe I’m the first person Madame Eve can’t find a match for. And how was it any better than just picking someone up from one of the dozen bars along the street?

Bile filled her throat. Being caretaker for the old man had filled her days but left her empty inside. I’m lonely. I need this 1Night Stand. She stifled a sob. Crying wouldn’t help anything. She had chosen her path knowing full well what the consequences would be. Maybe she hadn’t foreseen how deeply alone she’d feel, but she’d known what she was getting into, work-wise. She used to be a risk taker, impulsive and willing to try new things. Why was she so willing to settle for security now?

The town’s few buildings rose in shadowed relief in the dusky twilight around the city center like tall stones. Guardians, perhaps. Behind them lay the mountains, the wild unknown. She sat straight and leaned into the faint spray from the fountain. The cool mist spread across the back of her arms. Closing her eyes, she lifted her long hair so the moisture could reach the back of her neck.

“Aine?”

Anya dropped her hair.

“Hello?” No one.

“Aine. Let’s go.” The voice floated on drops of water and fell through the air.

“What?” No one was near.

“I’m here.” The voice settled softly like dew on her skin. The air wavered over the fountain and the water slowed.

I only had one beer.

“Come. He awaits.”

For the briefest moment, a golden light eclipsed the edge of Anya’s vision then darkness slid over her.

Kerry holds a BA in English: Writing and Editing with a minor in Classical Studies from NC State University. She has extensive freelance editing experience, and teaches various fiction writing classes at a local college. She is an Associate Editor with Entangled Publishing. In addition to editing, Kerry writes science fiction, romantic fantasy, and paranormal romance.

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